Dan and the Neko's

Chapter 19 - Second star and towards morning

Mina meets with her officers

Mina and Kevin settled down with several other officers in her office and called the meeting to order, "All of you know of the original orders and all have agreed they were wrong since this is an intelligent species. If they had been of a lower intelligence that might have been something different but they aren't. They might not be as advanced as we are but they are just as intelligent as we are. Also, most of the females who went down found their mates as did I. I will not allow my mate to be considered a pet, slave, or commodity. I love him and want him to be the father of all our kittens." She took a cold drink Kevin handed her and took a sip.

"As I sent to you last night we faced the Council and Dan tried to make a point by asking Tigger to shoot him first. I told Kevin I would as well. We talked to the Council just a short time ago and they called the bluff. To put it bluntly it wasn't a bluff and Tigger shot and killed Dan. He then cast his fate into the Deities hands. Nang and Oreo did as well. As of this moment we have orders to bring back breeding stock as well as Tigger, Oreo, and Nang for judgement of their demands." She took another sip of the drink and looked at the Priestess aboard, "Research everything that bears on this type of challenge. Pick apart the demand and find issues the home world might bring up. I want the demands as airtight as possible. I don't want those old women finding a way to slip out of the challenges. If they do it is going to cause even more damage to our credibility."

The Priestess lightly scratched an ear with a claw as she started thinking, "Yes Captain I will do as ordered. I want to make it known I object to how you referred to the Council and your opinions on their actions. For the sake of Tigger, Commander Oreo, and Lt. Commander Nang I will do my best." She didn't approve of changing the orders or having them changed. She had studied the people and found them to be violent yet also intelligent and capable of great courage. She did agree they shouldn't be kept as pets or slaves, just a lower rank citizen. Let them be kept much as the males were. Content and pacified with their families.

Mina acknowledged the Priestess's objection, "So noted and in the log. Fluffy sit down with the supply officer and get a list of what we might need to go back with. Also consider the status of the transport section. Talk to Tigger and see if they can help get supplies to make it comfortable. I have a feeling those coming back are not going to be content to live in bare rooms."

Commander Fluffy made a few notes, "Do you have any idea how many might be coming?" Considering the amount of food wolves ate that was a very important question. They didn't want hungry wolves wandering around the ship.

She didn't even have to think, "I'm going to assume at least two if not three packs. With Tigger becoming the Alpha, he is going to become a Mistress, well Master, of a family. Knowing wolves as I do I can't see them leaving anyone behind. Maybe the kittens if they feel there is danger but otherwise the entire pack will come with. Chances are good Darius's pack is going to want to send some along. As far as the second Pack Dan has I simply don't know. Leave them alone this evening but contact him first thing in the morning."

The Marine Commander indicated she wanted to speak, "Captain what type of trouble do you foresee? We are a survey ship and not a ship of the line." She didn't want to get in a fight but she had met some of the humans and wolves and rather liked Paul. He was a very enjoyable person to play with. Besides he had taught her a great deal.

Mina met the Commander's eyes, "I simply can't answer that. I don't foresee any trouble from the ones we will take back with us. They know the crew of our ship and we have spent time with both packs. I trust Tigger's pack to remain civil with us for the time being. Darius's pack I'm less so but still reasonably comfortable accepting they will be civil. I will make a point that in most cases weapons will be left behind." She said that in a wry tone since she had seen wolves work out and it was scary. They were weapons.